Passport on the way

I received an e-mail last Friday from New Orleans Passport Agency about the status of the 'lil one's passport book application.

E-mail states...

We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you.

The 6-week timeline is defeated. USPS lady said that the processing time will take up to six weeks, supposedly due in March 17 which is next week. I am happy that the process didn't take that long, the passport book is on it's way, hence, the lil one is really going to the Philippines with us in May. And since it was sent last Friday, it might be in tomorrow or early this week.

Incoherently, I am still contemplating if I would apply for citizenship next year or so. It's hard to weigh things in. I love my country. I am a proud Filipino. These are some of the reasons that keep pulling my decision down. Meanwhile, I love my family -- husband and daughter, both Americans, and I stay wherever they may be. Tough decision to make but I'll cross the bridge when I get there. For the meantime, I will enjoy being a legal resident of USA. Make used of the $500+ 10-yr-greencard application fee. Decision will fall through in time.

12:35AM CT. I am still awake. Not sleepy but I need to be in bed and compel myself to sleep. I gotta go. Good night, everyone!

Weekend shopping and get-away from the 'lil one

Now that Spring season is coming, I bet you shoppers alike are flocking in the stores for this season's wardrobe. I know because I did the same this weekend. The store I went to was so crowded especially the fitting room both for men and women. Argghhh...I won't go shopping on weekends anymore. Caused me headache and pain.

At the store, I saw these teens trying on urban clothes, fashion trend for the youngs. Actually, they annoyed me to death. Who wouldn't when the fitting room queue was long and these people were playing around and took forever in the room. Good thing I didn't have my lil one with me that time, just the hubby who went to the nearby pet shop while I look for some clothes. For so many clothes I brought in the fitting room, guess how many I bought? Just one. A pair of designer distressed jeans. Got so lucky to find a size that fits me well. No alterations needed.

A petite like me always finds nothing or less in the stores. Sometimes, it is best to shop online but I am heck of a picky, I wanna try it on before spending. But you know how it is to be a parent...shopping or malling is somehow a stress-relieving-activity after 24/7 of tending a toddler.

Changes

My eldest brother's wedding is forthcoming. Two more months the couple will exchange "I do's" for the second time in front of family and friends. They've had a civil wedding a year ago. This year, the wedding will be solemnized at the Catholic Church.

Sister-in-law is anxious and has been preparing since the plan occured. She started hunting for wedding dress and tuxedo last month. Younger sister and I are still busy with other details. I am no longer in-charge of the wedding invitation and thank you cards. The couple wants abaca fiber to accessorize the invitation which I doubt to be possible since the material is rare to find and the time is getting closer. I offered to make but they are not satisfied with the lay-out. They want a two-page-invitation, unfortunately, I can not give. Shipping and handling to the Philippines cost so much. Hence, I give up and pass the task to my sister. Luckily, she accepted the job. Now she is having a bit problem as the concerned couple are changing minds on so many things. I wonder what would happen in the next few days. Maybe a change here, or another there. Let's see.

Rough Saturday

Whew! Just got home from grocery shopping. Had a rough shopping because of the sick 'lil one. Ain't no telling how cruel the day is when someone has flu especially a toddler. Everybody who got sick this season blames the sudden change of temperature. Regardless of the condition, hubby and I had to get some groceries or we'll starve lol. So anyway, instead of filling the shopping cart with needed stuff, we were compelled to speed things out as in went straight to the register after grabbing our basic needs, waited for the cashier while she scanned the items using the Symbol LS2208, a handheld laser barcode scanner, which probably lasted around two or three minutes. Didn't grab meats and dairy but definitely would resume shopping tomorrow or the next day once the 'lil one gets better.

Even the planned park visit is canceled with the same reason as above. Oh well, there is always time for that. The main concern for now is the 'lil one's health. Once she gets better, we'll eventually make a trip back to the park where she loves playing at and mingling with other kids.

Finding time for my online endeavor is rare, too, these days. The 'lil one is full of drama when sick and holding her all day is part of that. She cries and screams at every single situation she dislikes. Not to mention her loss of appetite that is freaking me out. I am afraid of giving her medicine with no food intake. Oh boy! She is definitely not my typical toddler. Hope she feels better soon.

Whatta rough Saturday though I am thankful for the everyday blessings from Him.

Still lucky

Hopefully, the weather is fine tomorrow. Hubby and I are planning on going to the park that he could run while the 'lil one and I stay at the play area. The park is loaded with amenities for all ages. It has two play areas with slides and other tools that kids can enjoy. There is a long sidewalk that can be utilized for either walking or running. Old people can do minor exercise using dip station, badminton and tennis courts are also accessible to the public. There are restrooms for necessities and sheds in case of rain or too much sun. Over all, the park is great for family picnics, birthday parties and for good cause gatherings.

Living in a town with a residence close to parks, medical clinics, grocery stores, food stations, shops etc. is such a blessing. We don't have to drive for hours and waste money for gas just to get what we want and need. Even the Mall of Louisiana is fifteen minutes drive from here. Ain't that tempting? If not because of the forthcoming trip to the Philippines this May, my face is always visible every week in the mall. I have to compel myself to slow down that I could save more...for the meantime (wink).

Speaking of malls, hubby brought me to shopping shop today. He bought a lot for me and for the 'lil one. Before I end this post being that it's already 12AM here, I wanna say...Thank you, babe!

Philippine TV shows on PinoyTVlinks

Pinoyforums said adieu but the entertainment never ends. The fall of the website opens a new door to another rising online place for Filipinos abroad to watch Philippine TV shows online.

Sorry but I can not link in the site here. I don't want the website to leave this early (yet). Just please google it with a keyword PinoyTVLinks (hosted by blogger) if you want to watch online Philippine TV shows.

Websites that offer free videos of Philippine television shows are basically one of the reasons why Filipinos living abroad are able to deal with homesickness. People who can not afford the subscription fee of PinoyTV or TFC channel. I am one of them. Pinoyforum was the only website that I kept on visiting. It is probably the best among the rest because of the organization of videos. The daily updates relieve me from the stress of being a homemaker and homesickness above all. Unfortunately, it has to go because of copyright infringement which won't probably be noticed by two huge TV networks in the Philippines if hidden reports were not submitted . Sad to say that there are jealous people around who can not be happy for others. They got to do whatever makes them happy to the point of slaying one's happiness. Report illegal videos! Tsk tsk tsk! So cruel!

At first I thought that Pinoyforums admin ain't have time to update the website. Hadn't read the important notice that is highlighted on the top of the page. I kept on visiting many times everyday but ignored the link "read this". Dang! I should have clicked it a long time ago that it didn't take this long before I get to watch the continuation of my favorite teleserye. Since the site is fairly new, contributors are still few, thus, limited videos are offered. Maybe in just a matter of three months or so, the website will be able to accommodate most viewers' request...more videos please!

I am thankful that Filipinos abroad have a new place to hang out in. Thank you PinoyTVLinks admin and contributors for the everyday entertainment. More power to all of you!

Sister is insured!

My sister and I talked thru YM voice chat last night. In the midst of the chats, her hubby came home from work and handed to her tons of envelopes including postal mails. One envelope was from the insurance company consisting the approval of life insurance that her hubby had purchased for her.

Prior to the purchase, my brother-in-law had to check for term life insurance quotes as well as informed himself with the insurance policy. I bet you that he chose the best and didn't mind the rate. I know him so well when it comes to his family. So now that the application is approved, he's gonna lose tons of money monthly which is not a big of a deal because it's for the future.

Anyway, during the conversation, I told my sister that her husband is going to kill her now that she is insured lol. Of course it was a joke! Brother-in-law even acted like he was choking my sister. That was a funny gesture. We were laughing to death last night.

I am glad that they both have the insurance that will protect and support their kids in the future.